Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:31 — 14.2MB)
Segment 3, June 8th, 2024
Alen Baker is a voice that many will recognize on the Carolina Outdoors. He’s an avid fly fisher, tyer, & conservationist. He founded the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, & is a 2019 inductee in its Hall of Fame. He joins host Bill Bartee to chat about his new project: the Cap Wiese Fly Fishing Center
Baker has been doing satellite exhibits over the years & that inspired going to the Patterson School Foundation & expanding usage of the facilities outside of Lenoir, NC.
Show Highlights:
- Cap Wiese was the headmaster of the Patterson School & a legend in NC fly fishing lore
- Wiese’s favorite waters were Wilson Creek & in later years, Cherokee. He helped start Trout Unlimited in North Carolina
- The CWFC will bring adult education in fly fishing & is started with Project Healing Waters
- The first project is improving the impoundment pond at the Patterson School (where Cap first taught fly fishing)
- Kayaks and Canoes are able to be used on the pond
- Overnight stays & outings will be a part of the projects as it is the “perfect location.”
- Fly Fishing, Tying, Rod Building, & the outings will all be a part of the CWFC & the Patterson School Foundation
- You can participate by joining the FLY TYERS GUILD & going to the Patterson School Foundation
Things You’ll Learn by Listening:
Baker has authored seven books and continues to write. His works include, Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years (2006), his award-winning book, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians (2016), and My Fly Fishing Playbook (2019).
The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the Charlotte fly shop, Jesse Brown’s